Spirometer Toy

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a toy that functions to propel a projectile through a tube at someone or something by exerting sufficient air pressure from the user&#39;s lungs through the tube. This action has the effect of challenging and building the user&#39;s respiratory system, including the respiratory musculature and lung capacity, through the repeated use of the toy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/693,652 filed Jun.23, 2005, which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by thisreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus with which a user may propelprojectiles using force created by air pressure from the user's lungs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spirometers are devices used to measure the volume and flow rate of gasexhaled by a user or patient. These measurements are important forphysiological studies and for diagnostic analysis of the pulmonaryperformance of the patient. For example, exhaled volume and flow rateare often measured for people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis,mucoviscidosis, or who have had lung transplants. Especially forpatients suffering from asthma, these data are used to make estimates ofasthma medicine dosages and to anticipate an asthma crisis.

Spirometers are also known to have therapeutic effects in that theirfrequent and continual use strengthens the diaphragm, intercostalmuscles and other muscles used to exhale as well as building lungcapacity. Unfortunately, it is difficult to motivate the regular use ofthese devices to the extent necessary to develop the muscles and lungcapacity that helps to overcome asthmatic attack or rehabilitatepatients suffering respiratory illness, particularly amongstadolescents.

Thus, an apparatus capable of stimulating the user's curiosity andplayfulness while aiding the development of lung capacity andrespiratory musculature is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides devices capable of holding the user'sattention as a toy while strengthening the muscles of the user'srespiratory system through repetitive use. One embodiment is anapparatus having a tube with a mouthpiece on one end and at least oneclosable aperture along the length of the tube. The tube is preferably acircular tube with a length between about 4 inches and about 36 inchesand a diameter between about 5 mm and about 20 mm. The tube may becomposed of wood, plastic, polymer, laminate, resin, metal,polycarbonate and combinations thereof. The aperture in the tube ispreferably between about 10 mm and about 25 mm in diameter.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a closure for the aperturesuch as a sleeve, a door or an aperture tube. In a preferred embodiment,the closure is an aperture tube slidably engaged with, and disposedwithin the tube. In a similar embodiment, the closure is a sleeve tubeslidably engaged with, and disposed around the tube. The closure mayalso be a door that slides over the aperture in the tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a mouthpiece formedfrom the crimped end of the tube. Alternatively, the mouthpiece may be amaterial that is removably-engaged from the tube.

In one embodiment, the tube includes one or more projections forming ahandle, a sight, a catch, a holder of additional projectiles, a means ofmeasuring and/or recording air pressure exerted through the mouthpieceand/or a means of adjusting resistance to the propulsion of a projectilefrom the tube. In a related embodiment, the mouthpiece may contain oneor more projections forming a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder ofadditional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording the airpressure exerted through the mouthpiece and/or a means of adjusting theresistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.

The apparatus may be configured to accept and to propel a projectileselected from the group consisting of a marshmallow, a mini-marshmallow,a pea, a wad of paper, a wad of gum, a ball and a piece of foam.

A related embodiment provides a kit containing the apparatus and atleast one projectile such as a marshmallow, a mini-marshmallow, a pea, awad of paper, a wad of gum, a ball and a piece of foam.

Another embodiment provides a method of enhancing the respiratory systemin a user comprising inserting a projectile through the aperture andinto the tube of the apparatus, placing the lips of the user on themouthpiece of the apparatus, and exhaling through the mouthpiece withsufficient force to expel the projectile from the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one specific embodiment of the present invention fullyassembled.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, having an inner aperture tuberemoved from the tube.

FIG. 3 shows one specific embodiment of the present invention in which acrimped mouthpiece is provided at one end of the tube and a handle isprovided as one projection from the tube.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed image of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 inwhich the apertures in the tube and the inner aperture tube have beenaligned length-wise in the tube but are offset to effectively seal thetube.

FIG. 5 shows another specific embodiment of the present invention fullyassembled.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5, having an inner aperture tuberemoved from the tube.

FIG. 7 shows another specific embodiment of the present invention havingan outer sleeve tube and no aperture tube.

FIG. 8 shows the top view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to an apparatus that functions to enhancethe development or rehabilitation of a user's respiratory function whileholding the user's interest by the provision of a means to propelprojectiles at a distance.

The apparatus may include a tube having a closable aperture and,optionally, a crimped end-piece that functions as a mouthpiece. Theaperture includes a closure that allows the insertion and positioning ofa projectile within the tube. In practice, the user inserts a projectileinto the cylindrical tube through the aperture and secures the closurebefore putting the mouthpiece end between the user's lips. The user thenexhales into the tube through the mouthpiece to propel the projectileout of the end of cylindrical tube opposite the mouthpiece.

The tube may be of any length, but the typical length is between about 4inches and about 36 inches. Preferably, the length of the tube is about8 inches or about 10 inches or about 12 inches or about 14 inches orabout 16 inches or about 18 inches or about 20 inches. Most preferably,the length of the tube is about 9 inches.

The cross-section of the tube may have any closed shape, but a circularor nearly-circular cross-section is the preferred shape. Thus, apreferred embodiment is a cylindrical tube having an internal diameterbetween about 5 mm and about 20 mm. Most preferably, the internaldiameter is about 13 mm. Similarly the external diameter of thecylindrical tube is between about 8 mm and about 30 mm and will varydepending upon the internal diameter and the characteristics of thematerial from which the tube is composed. Preferably, the externaldiameter of the tube is about 15 mm.

The tube may be composed of any suitably sturdy material to withstandrepeated use by a human user without significant and rapiddeterioration. This material should therefore be resistant or at leastpartially resistant to moisture and the contents of expectorated mucusand saliva that may accompany gases exhaled into the apparatus.Preferably, the tube is composed of a rigid material although, inspecific embodiments, the tube may be flexible in order to adjust thedistance or direction of travel of a projectile and to adjust theresistance that the user must overcome to expel a projectile from thetube. The tube may be composed of wood, plastic, polymer(s), laminates,resins, metals, combinations of these materials and the like.Preferably, the tube is composed of clear or translucent material(s)such that the user can judge the placement and movement of a projectileplaced in the tube. Most preferably, the tube is composed of extrudedpolycarbonate which can be made in many colors. The tube and anyprojections or attachments to the tube may be produced by any standardtechnique such as injection molding or extrusion.

The aperture in the tube may be of any size suitable to allow easyplacement of a projectile within the tube. This size will obviously varydepending upon the size of the projectile chosen for insertion into thetube. Preferably, the aperture is between about 10 mm and about 25 mm indiameter. In a specific embodiment, the aperture is between about 10 mmand about 30 mm, and preferably about 15 mm, in length measured in adirection that is parallel to the length of the tube. In this specificembodiment, the aperture is between about 10 mm and about 30 mm, andpreferably about 12 mm, in length measured in a direction that isperpendicular to the length of the tube.

The aperture must be closable to seal the tube sufficient to capture theair pressure produced behind the projectile when a user exhales into themouthpiece end of the tube. Suitable closures include outer or innersleeves, doors, covers, and the like that function to cover and seal theaperture. The aperture cover may also contain projections, contactareas, dials or the like as desired to make the aperture easier for theuser to open or close. In a preferred embodiment, the closure is asecond tube slidably or screwingly engaged with the cylindrical tubedescribed above. Such second tube may fit internal to the cylindricaltube described above (hereinafter referred to as an “aperture tube”) ormay fit around the cylindrical tube and be configured to slide over thecylindrical and seal the aperature in the cylindrical tube (hereinafterreferred to as a “sleeve tube”). The aperture tube may be slidablyengaged internally to the tube. In practice, the user introduces one ormore projectiles through the aperture in the tube of this preferredembodiment and closes the aperture by sliding the aperture tube forwardor backward within the tube to cover the aperture, before blowing intothe tube to expel the projectile. In one preferred embodiment, theaperture tube has an external diameter between about 0.1 mm to about 1mm less than the internal diameter of the tube and is slidably engagedwithin the tube. In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve tube has aninternal diameter between about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm greater than theexternal diameter of the tube and is slidably engaged around the outsideof the cylindrical tube.

In one embodiment, the tube is of a sufficient length to extend beyondthe end of the tube when slid into place to cover the aperture in thetube. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aperture tube containsan aperture that is substantially similar in shape and size to theaperture in the tube. In this embodiment, the user slides the aperturetube within or around the tube to align the aperture in the aperturetube with the aperture in the tube—allowing placement of one or moreprojectiles within the inner-most tube. The tubes are then slid suchthat the two apertures are no longer aligned and the inner-most tube issealed along its length to allow the projectile to be expelled when theuser exhales into the mouthpiece end of the inner-most tube.

In another embodiment, the sleeve tube is of sufficient length to allowthe user to slide the sleeve tube along the length of the cylindricaltube to expose the aperture in the cylindrical tube, allowing placementof a projectile in the cylindrical tube. The user then slides the sleevetube to cover the aperture in the cylindrical tube, thereby sealing theaperture in the cylindrical tube to allow expulsion of the projectile byexhaling into the mouthpiece on the cylindrical tube.

The aperture tube may be composed of any material compatible with thematerial(s) composing the tube, including wood, plastic, polymer(s),laminates, resins, metals, combinations of these materials and the like.Preferably, the aperture tube is composed of clear or translucentmaterial(s) such that the user can judge the placement and movement of aprojectile placed in the tube or aperture tube. Most preferably, theaperture tube is composed of polycarbonate.

In a specific embodiment, the cylindrical tube does not contain anaperture. In this embodiment, an aperture tube is included which isslidably or screwingly engaged within the internal diameter of the tube.This aperture tube contains an aperture of sufficient size to allow auser to dispose one or more projectiles within the aperture tube. Inuse, the user positions the desired projectile within the aperture tubethrough the aperture and then positions the aperture tube within thecylindrical tube to seal the aperture in the aperture tube, beforeexpelling the projectile(s).

In another specific embodiment, the tube contains an aperture that isclosed with an aperture tube that is slidingly or screwingly engagedover the outer diameter of the tube. The aperture tube of thisembodiment does not contain an aperture. Rather, the user places one ormore projectiles within the aperture tube and then positions the outeraperture tube over the tube including the aperture in the tube to sealthe tube, prior to expelling the projectile(s).

The mouthpiece end of the tube may be a shaped end of the tube or of anaperture tube or may be a separate piece that is shaped for comfortablecontact with the lips of the user. A preferred mouthpiece is formed bycrimping or shaping the end of the cylindrical tube into a flattenedmouthpiece that is wider but more narrow in cross-section than thecylindrical tube. Preferably, the mouthpiece is between about 20 mm andabout 50 mm in width and between about 5 mm and about 30 mm in height.In a specific embodiment, the mouthpiece is detachable from the tubemaking replacement and cleaning of the mouthpiece easy for the user. Inanother specific embodiment, the mouthpiece may contain a projection orattachment that includes a means of measuring or estimating the volumeor pressure of air expelled by the user into the mouthpiece. Such aprojection or attachment may include graduations or scales in additionto moving indicators to effectively display an air pressure or relativeair pressure expelled by the user into the mouthpiece. In anotherspecific embodiment, the mouthpiece may contain a projection orattachment that includes a means of adjusting the resistance that mustbe overcome by the user to expel a projectile from the cylindrical tube.Such a projection may include a dial or slidable adjustment knob thatallows the user to measure the resistance or relative resistancerequired to expel a projectile from the tube. In a preferred embodiment,the means of adjusting the resistance required to expel a projectilefrom the cylindrical tube may be locked or fixed in place over repeateduses of the apparatus to expel projectiles from the cylindrical tube.

The cylindrical tube and/or the aperture tube may contain projectionssuitable for different purposes. For example, the cylindrical tubeand/or aperture tube may contain one or more internal projections thatserve to guide a projectile in a specific direction or to increase theresistance that a user must exert to expel a projectile from theinner-most tube. Alternatively, the outer-most tube may containprojections designed to act as handles or to aid the user in insertingone or more projectiles into the tube. The outer-most tube may alsocontain projections that aid the user in directing projections expelledfrom the tube. In an embodiment containing both a cylindrical tube andeither an aperture tube or a sleeve tube, either tube may contain aprojection that serves as a catch or lock preventing the two tubes frombeing completely separated or disengaged. In a similar embodiment,either of the tubes may contain a projection that keeps the tubes frombeing slid or screwed apart beyond a point that is predetermined by theuser or manufacturer of the apparatus.

In a specific embodiment, the tube may contain a projection orattachment that includes a means of measuring or estimating the volumeor pressure of air expelled by the user into the cylindrical tube. Sucha projection or attachment may include graduations or scales in additionto moving indicators to effectively display an air pressure or relativeair pressure expelled by the user into the tube through the mouthpieceend of the tube.

In a specific embodiment, the tube may contain a projection orattachment that includes a means of adjusting the resistance that mustbe overcome by the user to expel a projectile from the tube. Such aprojection may include a dial or slidable adjustment knob that allowsthe user to measure the resistance or relative resistance required toexpel a projectile from the tube. In a preferred embodiment, the meansof adjusting the resistance required to expel a projectile from the tubemay be locked or fixed in place over repeated uses of the apparatus toexpel projectiles from the tube.

The projectiles for use in the present apparatus may be any small objectthat can be effectively and routinely expelled from the tube using airpressure imparted from the lungs of the user through the mouthpiece endof the tube. For example, the projectile may be a ball, a marble, arock, a bean bag, a pea, a small piece of paper, foam, plastic or food.Preferably, the projectile used by the user is a marshmallow and mostpreferably, the apparatus is configured for use with a projectile thatis a “mini-marshmallow.”

Using the apparatuses of the present invention, the user may propel aprojectile at someone or something by exerting sufficient air pressurethrough the tube. This action has the effect of challenging and buildingthe user's respiratory system, including the respiratory musculature andlung capacity, through the repeated use of the apparatus. The user'srepeated use is fostered and engaged, particularly amongst youngerusers, through the challenge and fun of hitting objects or people withthe projectiles inserted into the tube. This effectively engages theuser in a repetitive action and conditioning activity that may expandand strengthen the respiratory system while overcoming the repetitiveand often dull activity of recurrent use of a traditional spirometerdevice. Additionally, the user, and particularly older users, mayexperience a sense of psychological satisfaction and relief in use ofthe apparatus of the present invention. Thus, the device has found usein anger management therapies in addition to the uses of strengtheningthe respiratory system and the immune system and as a toy as describedabove.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown wherein an aperture tube (20) is slidably engaged within acylindrical tube (10) that has a single end crimped into a mouthpiece(30) and a projection (60) forming a handle. The cylindrical tube (10)has an aperture (50) that can be aligned with a similarly-sized aperture(40) in the aperture tube (20). FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment inwhich the aperture tube (20) has been removed from within the tube (10).The separate apertures (40 and 50) are more clearly visible in FIG. 2.FIG. 3 shows the same embodiment in which the projection (60) from thecylindrical tube (10) that functions as a handle for the user, can beclearly seen. The projection (60) is attached to the cylindrical tube(10) with glue capable of securely bonding the polycarbonate parts.Suitable adhesives include epoxy.

FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment in which the aperture tube (20) isslidably engaged within the tube (10) and the apertures (40 and 50) havebeen aligned length-wise along the tube (10) but have been offset aroundthe circumference of the tube (10), thereby sealing the tube (10) andthe aperture tube (20) such that a projectile placed within the internalaperture tube (20) can be expelled by exerting air pressure from theuser's lungs through the mouthpiece (30).

Referring to FIG. 5, another particularly preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown wherein an aperture tube (20) is slidably engagedwithin a cylindrical tube (10) that has a single end crimped into amouthpiece (30) and a projection (60) forming a handle. The aperturetube (20) has an aperture (40) suitable for the passage of projectilesto be displaced within the aperture tube. FIG. 6 shows the samepreferred embodiment in which the aperture tube (20) has been removedfrom within the cylindrical tube (10).

Referring to FIG. 7, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in which a sleeve tube (70) is displaced around the cylindricaltube (10) to cover aperture (50). The sleeve tube (70) can be slid alongthe cylindrical tube towards the mouthpiece (30) to expose the aperture(50). Projectiles can then be displaced in the cylindrical tube (10)through the aperture (50), and the sleeve tube (70) can be slid over theaperture (50) to seal the cylindrical tube (10). In the embodiment shownin FIG. 7, the sleeve tube (70) is displaced over the cylindrical tube(10) between the mouthpiece (30) and a handle (60). The mouthpiece (30)is wider than the inner diameter of the sleeve tube (70) such that thesleeve tube (70) cannot slide off of the cylindrical tube (10) as it istrapped between the handle (60) and the mouthpiece (30). This is seenbest in FIG. 8, which is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.From this view, it can be seen that the mouthpiece (30) is wider thanthe inner diameter of the sleeve tube (70) such that the sleeve tube(70) cannot slide off of the cylindrical tube (10).

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosedherein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with theabove teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiment describedhereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode known forpracticing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular applications or uses of thepresent invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

1. An apparatus comprising a tube having a mouthpiece on one end and atleast one closable aperture along the length of the tube.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube is a circular tube.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube has a length between about 4inches and about 36 inches.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetube has a diameter between about 5 mm and about 20 mm.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the tube is composed of a material selected from thegroup consisting of wood, plastic, polymer, laminate, resin, metal,polycarbonate and combinations thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the aperture is between about 10 mm and about 25 mm in diameter.7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a closure for theaperture selected from the group consisting of a sleeve, a door and anaperture tube.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the closure is anaperture tube slidably engaged with, and disposed within the tube. 9.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the closure is a sleeve tube slidablyengaged with, and disposed around the tube.
 10. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the closure is a door that slides over the aperture in thetube.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the closure is an aperturetube and the aperture tube comprises one or more projections selectedfrom the group consisting of a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder ofadditional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording airpressure exerted through the mouthpiece and a means of adjustingresistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a crimped end ofthe tube.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece comprisesa material that is removably-engaged from the tube.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the tube comprises one or more projections selectedfrom the group consisting of a handle, a sight, a catch, a holder ofadditional projectiles, a means of measuring and/or recording airpressure exerted through the mouthpiece and a means of adjustingresistance to the propulsion of a projectile from the tube.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece comprises one or moreprojections selected from the group consisting of a handle, a sight, acatch, a holder of additional projectiles, a means of measuring and/orrecording the air pressure exerted by the user in exhaling through themouthpiece and a means of adjusting the resistance to the propulsion ofa projectile from the tube.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theaperture and the tube are configured to accept arid to propel aprojectile selected from the group consisting of a marshmallow, amini-marshmallow, a pea, a wad of paper, a wad of gum, a ball arid apiece of foam.
 17. A kit comprising the apparatus of claim 1 and atleast one projectile selected from the group consisting of amarshmallow, a mini-marshmallow, a pea, a wad of paper, a wad of gum, aball and a piece of foam.
 18. A method of enhancing the respiratorysystem in a user comprising inserting a projectile through the apertureand into the tube of the apparatus of claim 1, placing the lips of theuser on the mouthpiece of the apparatus, and exhaling through themouthpiece with sufficient force to expel the projectile from the tube.